Program Description
The program prepares students with the necessary skills and academic knowledge for entry-level or management training positions in a variety of business enterprises. These career opportunities may be in areas such as accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, business administration, sales, marketing, or human resources.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of their program, the student
should be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to utilize industry standard accounting principles, accounting based software, and principles to analyze financial information in order to support and evaluate managerial decision-making.
- Demonstrate the ability to formulate strategic and operational business solutions typically encountered during normal operation of a small or mid-sized entity utilizing a range of management tools within an ethical environment.
- Demonstrate mastery of industry standard spreadsheets, databases, and accounting systems.
- Demonstrate the ability to define and articulate organizational, operational, ethical, legal, and managerial issues impacting business management.
- Think critically at a conceptual level and by using mathematical analysis as well as the scientific method; write and speak effectively; use basic computer applications; and understand human behavior in the context of the greater society in a culturally diverse world.
Potential Job Position Titles
- Account Representative
- Accounting Assistant
- Marketing Representative
- Human Resources Representative
- Client Services Representative
- Office Manager
Program Length
The average length of time for a student taking a full course load is nine semesters
(36 months).
Program Content
A minimum of 123 semester credit hours is required for graduation.
Required Management Core Courses
All courses, 33 semester credit hours, are required.
AC 103 Accounting I
This introductory accounting course provides the practical application of the concepts and principles of the accounting cycle for service businesses. Topics include an overview of accounting concepts and procedures; analyzing and recording transactions; beginning the accounting cycle by journalizing, posting, and working with the trial balance; using worksheets, financial statements, and adjusting entries; completing the accounting cycle with adjusting, closing, and post-closing trial balance; working with cash and its control; working with accounting systems, journals, internal controls and an introduction to cash flow management.
AC 220 Finance
This course introduces corporate financial management and analysis. Topics include evaluating financial performance; measuring cash flow; forecasting and planning; and capital budgeting and the cost of capital.
BU 106 Introduction to Management
This course introduces the environment of American business with an overview of various topics that serve as a foundation for further study of business. Topics include the environments that businesses operate in; the organizational structures of businesses; management functions in enterprises; and the challenges of managing marketing, operations, information technology, finance, and human resources.
BU 204 The Digital Firm and Business Communications
This course presents an overview of technology-based issues within a business
environment. Topic include the concept of digital firms and ERP systems in the areas
of marketing, operations, human resources, manufacturing, finance, social networking,
and supply-chain management. Additional areas to be discussed are privacy issues,
government regulations, and technology on a global scale.
BU 206 Business Law
This course provides a study of the American legal system and its effect on business and business organizations, as well as an overview of the ethical issues that businesses encounter. Topics include business law and ethics, contracts and sales, consumer protection issues, agency and employment issues, the regulation of business organizations, analyzing risk-bearing devices, and dealing with real property issues.
BU 209 Leadership and Team Dynamics
This course provides students with a foundation of knowledge regarding leadership
practices and theories. The student should develop an operational understanding
of leadership concepts and theories to engage and reflect on leadership topics.
Course topics include leadership models, collaboration, management styles, handling
conflict, and ethical issues involved in leadership.
BU 220 Principles of Marketing
This course provides a practical and managerial approach to the principles and applications of marketing in organizations and in the marketplace. Topics include the marketing process and strategic planning; the global marketing environment; developing marketing opportunities and strategies; developing the marketing mix through product development, pricing strategies, distribution channels, and promotion techniques; and managing marketing through customer relationships, social responsibility, and marketing ethics.
BU 301 Organizational Behavior and Human Relations
This course examines the nature of organizational behavior through the study
of individuals, groups and intergroup relationships. Topics include: interpersonal
relations; organizational design; the structure and factors affecting organizational
design; the impact of technology, power and politics; organization culture change and
development; cultural diversity; ethical decision-making; and motivational theory and
programs.
BU 407 Quantitative Decision Making
This course presents an overview of problem modeling and decision-making. The
class will introduce students to several quantitative models applicable to problems
in a variety of functional areas of business. Students will be able to apply quantitative
analysis to real-world management problems.
EC 111 Principles of Microeconomics
This course provides an overview of economics and the economy from a
microeconomics perspective. Topics include: economic analysis; factors in the market
system; market structure and pricing strategies; the availability of resource markets;
supply and demand; and the impact of public policy on markets.
EC 121 Principles of Macroeconomics
This course provides an overview of economics and the economy from a macroeconomics
perspective. Topics include: an introduction to economic concepts; the fundamentals of
macroeconomics; macroeconomic theory and policy; the role of money, banking, and
monetary policy; and the relationship of macroeconomics to the global economy.
Required Courses in Business Management
All courses, 21 semester credit hours, are required.
AC 216 Accounting II
This accounting course provides practical application of the concepts and principles of the accounting cycle for merchandising businesses with an emphasis upon partnerships and the analysis of financial statements. Topics include accounting for partnerships, accounting for long-term assets and liabilities, managing inventory, investing in capital assets, preparing and using cash flow statements; and the analysis and interpretation of financial statements.
BU 247 Advertising and Public Relations
This course encompasses advertising and public relations techniques and concepts.
Students will explore the role of advertising, with a focus on the structure, environment,
and strategy of advertising, and the role of public relations, with a focus on profit and
nonprofit public relations programs. Topics include: the advertising environment;
ethical issues and social responsibility; advertising background, planning, and strategy;
advertising media; copywriting; design and production; and public relations and
promotions.
BU 307 Organizational Change
This course analyzes how change affects an organization and how that change can be
managed. The principle objective is to provide a discussion of change in relation to
the complexities of organizational life. The course is comprehensive in its coverage of
the significant ideas and issues associated with change at all levels of organizational
activity. Topics include: organization structure, design and change; organizational
politics, management and leadership; and organizational culture and change.
BU 331 Managing Information Systems
This course will present a multidisciplinary approach to integrating the behavioral,
organizational, operational, and technical aspects of information systems concepts
and structures. Emphasis is on the internal management of information resources and
the management of information technology. Coverage of the subject matter will be
through case studies, lectures, class discussion, projects, independent readings, and
research.
BU 406 International Business
This course offers a comparative analysis of business practices in the global economy
with emphasis on international economic factors and institutions. Topics include: the
national environments of international business; the role of culture, trade and exchange
rates; financial issues; marketing strategies and business development; international management; and the impact of government policies.
BU 461 Human Resource Management
This course focuses on the role of management in the staffing of a business and
development of human resources. Topics include: planning, organizing, and staffing
issues; how to develop and direct staff; and controlling human resources in businesses.
BU 482 Strategic Management
This course provides an opportunity to develop strategic management knowledge and
skills used in a business environment. Topics include: strategic management principles;
assessing the external and internal environments of businesses; and developing and
implementing strategies. Students will discuss how to adapt to changing environments
using the principles of strategy, execution, and evaluation.
Required Project Management
BU 345 Project Management
This course provides instruction in the principles and concepts of project management.
Topics include: project management concepts; needs identification techniques; proposed
solutions preparation; the project life cycle; the project manager's responsibilities and
skills; the composition of an effective project team; types of project organizations;
project communication and documentation; project planning, scheduling, and control;
resource planning; and cost planning and performance evaluation.
Elective Courses
A minimum 24 semester credit hours of open electives is required.
Required Capstone or Internship
BU 491 Capstone Project
This is an integrative course that allows students to identify a real-world problem
and provide a recommended solution. Each student selects a topic or project with
instructor approval and completes a paper which documents the process including
the use of industry-standard research methods. Students are required to make a
professional oral presentation of their project analysis and recommendations.
OR
BU 494 Internship
This is an elective course in business-related bachelor degree programs that students
take in their senior year. The career internship course is designed for students interested
in pursuing a career in any of the following fields of study: Accounting, Business
Administration, Entrepreneurship, Human Resources, International Studies, Marketing, Legal Studies, and Technology Management. The outcome of the internship is an
informed student fully apprised of the opportunities his, her degree program offers for
professional growth. During the internship phase of training, the student will experience
various aspects of working in the actual field that the student has been educated for.
The internship is designed to provide the student with the opportunity to experience
and participate in duties typical of a contemporary work place setting. Student learning
will center on observing experienced personnel, as well as, participating in actual
hands-on procedures under close supervision of trained professionals.
Required Courses in General Education
Students enrolled in bachelor degrees must complete a minimum of 37 semester credit
hours in general education distributed among the following disciplines. A minimum of
9 semester credit hours must be upper level (300-400 level courses). Refer to the General
Education section of the catalog for Herzing University courses that would satisfy these
requirements.
1 Semester Credit Hour in Information Literacy
6 Semester Credit Hours in English Composition or Literature
3 Semester Credit Hours in Speech
4 Semester Credit Hours in Computer Applications
7 Semester Credit Hours in Mathematics (College Algebra or Above)***
4 Semester Credit Hours of Natural Science with a Lab Component
3 Semester Credit Hours in Social or Behavioral Science
3 Semester Credit Hours in Humanities with a Critical Thinking Focus **
3 Semester Credit Hours in Cultural Diversity
3 Semester Credit Hours of General Education Electives
* Transfer students may use three semester credit hour courses transferred from
other colleges to satisfy these discipline requirements. Any resulting deficiency in
the total of 37 semester credit hours required in general education may be made
up with general education electives from any of the listed disciplines.
** A course with a critical thinking focus would be a course that addresses the theories
and application of critical analysis with an emphasis on developing sequential
reasoning skills. Examples may be courses in critical thinking, philosophy, logic, or science.
*** Students in the Bachelor of Science with a Concentration in Business Management
program must take MA 320 Statistics.
Personal Development Courses
A minimum of two semester credit hours is required in addition to PD 214.
PD 100 Student Success Skills
This course provides instruction in the both theory and practice of personal growth that lead to successful life experience. Topics include research in critical self-analysis of student habits and attitudes; and psychological impediments to successfully setting and achieving personal goals. 1.0 credit hour. Prerequisite: None.
PD 120 Personal Financial Management
This course deals with the concepts of personal financial planning and financial control. Topics center on critical self examination of student planning techniques through analysis and research of personal financial legal documents, checking accounts and banking services; income tax procedures; savings methods; investment planning; risk
management and insurance; and credit records, credit law, and the cost of credit. 1.0 credit hour. Prerequisite: None.
PD 150 Client Services
This course provides a critical examination of issues embedded in the practice of providing client service. Topics include research about best practice in customer service and communication techniques; psychologically based methods for dealing with the management of customer complaints; and the roles of a customer service employee
and supervisor within ethical boundaries and common business practice. 1.0 credit hour. Prerequisite: None.
PD 200 Career Development Seminar
This seminar provides an opportunity for the student to apply critical self-examination techniques and processes for developing a career path and an awareness of the need to embed life-long learning into career management. Topics include career planning research, job searching, developing career search documents, and refining interview
and communication skills within an awareness of psychological boundaries implicit in this process. Successful completion of this course requires the creation of a professional resume suitable for e-mail. 1.0 credit hour. Prerequisite: None.
PD 214 AS/AAS/BS Internship Preparation
This course will assist students in finding and securing the elective internship experience for credit in either an Associate or Bachelor program. Students must pass this course in order to be cleared to start working at their internship site. Students will discover ways to approach a facility about an internship, access the tools they will need to successfully get your internship approved and successfully land an internship that correlates to your field of study.
(Courses are subject to change. Please call (330) 724-1600 or toll free at (800) 311-0512 to request the current course schedule.)
